When Does School Begin in Cotati-Rohnert Park Unified School District?

The lazy days of summer are soon coming to an end for many students in Rohnert Park and Cotati.

The first day of school is slated for Aug. 21, which means there's one more week of fun in the sun to be had. But this hasn't been the case for all CRPUSD students.

On July 25 year-round classes began for grades K through 5 at Evergreen Elementary school. Incoming seventh graders have one extra thing on their Back to School to-do lists. 

Students who are entering grade seven in California schools—both public and private—are required by state law to be vaccinated against whooping cough.

Also referred to as pertussis, whooping cough requires a vaccine booster known as a Tdap, which stands for Tetanus Toxoid, Reduced Diphtheria Toxoid and Acellular Pertussis.

According to the National Institute of Health, pertussis is a contagious bacterial disease that causes uncontrollable, violent coughing that makes it difficult to breathe.

Once students have been vaccinated, they will be issued a certificate to bring with them on the first day of classes.

Exemptions are permitted in two instances:

Medical Exemption

• A licensed physician (M.D. or D.O.) who feels a vaccine is not suitable for a student because of medical reasons should submit to the school (via the patient's family as needed) a written statement documenting the medical exemption. The school should place a copy of the completed statement in the student's file.

Personal Belief Exemption

• A parent or guardian may have a child exempted from required immunizations if it's contrary to his/her beliefs. Schools have standardized procedures for parents and guardians who request a personal beliefs exemption.

For the 2011-12 school year, California students in grades seven to 12 were required to be immunized with a Tdap shot. For the 2012-13 school year and beyond, only seventh graders are required to show proof of immunization.

Take a look at the school calendar attached to this story

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